Indoor greenhouse

ABSTRACT

Described herein is an indoor greenhouse that includes a rack unit, an outer layer that surrounds the rack unit and defines a greenhouse interior, at least one light surrounded by a light enclosure, a cooling system, and a ventilation system all disposed in the greenhouse interior. The ventilation system includes a fan, a filter and at least one duct that cooperate to exhaust air out of the exhaust vent opening. The rack unit includes a top, a bottom, and an intermediate portion extending therebetween. The outer layer includes a top, a bottom, and an intermediate portion extending therebetween that correspond to the similar portions of the rack unit. The outer layer also has intake and exhaust vent and light cooling openings defined therein. The cooling system includes at least one duct that cooperates with the light enclosure to define an air path between the intake and exhaust light cooling openings.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to indoor greenhouses, and moreparticularly to an indoor greenhouse with a metal frame.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In many areas of the world, it is often desirable to raise plants whichare not native to the area and which may require a warmer climate thanprovided in the particular area. It is possible to construct outdoorgreenhouses to raise such plants, however, in many climates outdoorgreenhouses are impractical and overly expensive for a single familyuse, due to the severity of the climate, both in terms of temperature,humidity and sunlight. Occasionally it is possible to raise some suchplants indoors however, for other plants the temperature and humidityeven indoors is not sufficient, and for many plants insufficientsunlight is available indoors. Of course, it is often desirable to havemany such plants raised indoors, both for convenience and for the sakeof the appearance which many such plants have. Thus, an indoorgreenhouse is a useful device.

Most greenhouses are not adapted for indoor use and as a result, take upan undue amount of horizontal space, while wasting vertical space whichcould not in any event be occupied as a result of the presence of such astructure. As well, greenhouses are usually relatively complex inconstruction and therefore expensive. As well, most do not make anyprovision for artificial lighting. In addition, many such priorgreenhouses suffer from one or more of the following disadvantages. Suchgreenhouses often are not readily assembled and disassembled thereforemaking movement of them difficult, they do not provide easy access to anarea throughout the entire greenhouse, and do not provide any simplemeans by which the entire contents of the greenhouse may be displayed inan almost unobstructed manner when desired.

Accordingly, a need exists for an indoor greenhouse that overcomes thedisadvantages discussed above.

SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with a preferred aspect of the present invention there isprovided an indoor greenhouse that includes a rack unit, an outer layerthat surrounds the rack unit and defines a greenhouse interior, at leastone light surrounded by a light enclosure, a cooling system, and aventilation system all disposed in the greenhouse interior. Theventilation system includes a fan, a filter and at least one duct thatcooperate to exhaust air out of the exhaust vent opening. The rack unitincludes a top, a bottom, and an intermediate portion extendingtherebetween. The outer layer includes a top, a bottom, and anintermediate portion extending therebetween that correspond to the top,bottom, and intermediate portion of the rack unit. The outer layer alsohas intake and exhaust vent openings and intake and exhaust lightcooling openings defined therein. The cooling system includes at leastone duct that cooperates with the light enclosure to define an air pathbetween the intake and exhaust light cooling openings.

In a preferred embodiment, the rack unit includes a plurality of polesthat cooperate to form the top, bottom and intermediate portions.Preferably, the plurality of poles include at least one pole that hastwo male ends, at least one pole that has a male end and a double femaleend, and at least one pole that has a double female end and a singlefemale end.

In another preferred embodiment, the rack unit includes at least fourpoles and top, bottom and middle shelves, where the shelves are adaptedto be disposed at different positions along the length of the poles. Inthis embodiment, the poles each have a plurality of circumferentiallyextending grooves defined therein, the bottom and middle shelves arerectangular and each include receptacles at their four corners, thepoles include a plurality of generally cylindrical clamps thereon, theclamps have a fin extending around an inner diameter thereof, the finsof each of the clamps are received in a groove, a clamp is associatedwith each of the receptacles such that a clamp and a portion of one ofthe poles are received in a receptacle, and the clamp provides afriction fit between the exterior of the clamp and the interior of thereceptacle, whereby the shelves are held in place at the desiredposition on the poles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an indoor greenhouse with thefront flaps open in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a duct connection member,showing how it attaches to a piece of the outer layer of the indoorgreenhouse of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the rack unit of the indoor greenhouseof FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a detailed perspective view showing the connection of the toprods of the rack unit of the indoor greenhouse of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3B is a detailed perspective view showing a lower corner of therack unit of the indoor greenhouse of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the back and side of the indoorgreenhouse of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the ventilation system of theindoor greenhouse of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a partial front elevational view of an indoor greenhousehaving a light and cooling system;

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of an indoor greenhouse with thefront flaps open in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the rack unit of the indoor greenhouseof FIG. 7;

FIG. 8A is a detailed perspective view showing an upper corner of therack unit of the indoor greenhouse of FIG. 7;

FIG. 8B is a detailed perspective view showing a lower corner of therack unit of the indoor greenhouse of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the rack unit of the indoorgreenhouse of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9A is a detailed exploded perspective view showing a pole, clampand receptacle.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of thedrawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in the drawings, for purposes of illustration, the invention isembodied in an indoor greenhouse for growing plants.

It will be appreciated that terms such as “front,” “back,” “top,”“bottom,” and “side” used herein are merely for ease of description andrefer to the orientation of the components as shown in the figures. Itshould be understood that any orientation of the indoor greenhouse, andthe components thereof described herein is within the scope of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3B, generally, a first preferred embodiment of anindoor greenhouse 10 includes a rack unit 12, an outer layer 14 and aventilation system 16.

As is best shown in FIG. 3, the rack unit 12 preferably includes abottom 18, a top 20 and an intermediate portion 22 extendingtherebetween. The bottom 18, top 20 and intermediate portion 22 eachinclude a plurality of poles 24 a, 24 b and 24 c (the poles in generalare all designated generically as 24). The poles designated 24 a includetwo male ends 26 a. The poles designated 24 b include a male end 26 aand a double female end 26 b. The poles designated 24 c include a doublefemale end 26 b and a single female end 26 c. The double female end 26 bis shown in FIG. 3B and includes two receivers 28 that preferably extendat a about a right angle from each other in the X plane and from theremainder of the pole 24 in the Y and Z planes. The female receivers 28are adapted to connect with the male ends 26 a of other poles 24. Inanother embodiment, the pole may include more than two receivers orreceivers that extend in opposite directions. For example, a pole mayinclude two receivers that extend in opposite directions and a thirdthat extends at a point that is ninety degrees between them. Thisprovides a pole that can be included in the middle of one of the wallsof the rack unit.

In a preferred embodiment, the receivers 28 and the remainder of thepoles 24 are formed as a unit. This can be done, for example, bywelding. This unitary construction makes the corners much stronger thanthe prior art, which included plastic receivers that were placed on theends of the poles during construction by a user.

In a preferred embodiment, the receivers 28 include an opening 30 thatreceives a knob or ball bearing 32 that is biased outwardly by a springon the male end 26 a of a pole 24. When the male end is inserted intothe receiver, the knob 32 snaps into the opening 30 and the pole 24 issecured in place. This type of connection can also be used on theintermediate portion 22 to secure to poles 24 together. This type ofconnection is advantageous over the prior art where the joints betweenpoles were typically taped to prevent the rack unit from coming apartfrom one another. In other words, the poles were wrapped with tape nearthe corner connection to prevent the pole from being pulled out of thehole in which it sat.

The type of connection between poles 24 is not a limitation on thepresent invention and other connections are within the scope of thepresent invention. For example, in another embodiment, a pole 24 mayinclude a double male end that cooperates with the single female ends 26c of two poles 24. In another embodiment a friction fit may be usedbetween male and female receivers.

The fact that the receivers 28 are already connected to the ends of thepoles 24 prior to construction of the rack unit makes the rack unit easyto assembly. This arrangement of poles 24 is a vast improvement over theprior art and greatly cuts down on the time needed to assemble the rackunit. It also shortens the assembly instructions provided to a user ofthe indoor greenhouse.

The top 20 of the rack unit 12 preferably includes a plurality of rods34 a and 34 b (the rods in general are all designated generically as34). As shown in FIG. 3A, the rods designated 34 b include a receptacleportion 36 in which the rods 34 a are received. This adds strength tothe top 20 when lights are hung from the rods 34 a.

The top 20 also preferably includes at least two brackets 38 foraffixing the ventilation system 16 (and, in particular, the filter,described below) inside the greenhouse 10. The rods 34 and brackets 38are preferably secured to the poles 24 by inserting their ends intoopenings defined in the poles 24. However, the rods 34 can also besecured to the poles 24 by a permanent method, such as welding or thelike.

In a preferred embodiment, the rack unit 12 (and the various componentsthereof) is made of a metal, such as stainless steel. However, this isnot a limitation on the present invention. In a preferred embodiment,the rack unit 12 includes metal reinforcement members that extendangularly from one pole 24 to another at the corners. The metalreinforcement members can be rods or a plate (such as a triangular ortrapezoidal shaped plate.

It will be understood that any combination of poles 24, 24 a, 24 b, 24 cand ends 26 a, 26 b and 26 c (or double male ends) is within the scopeof the present invention. For example, as shown in the figures, in apreferred embodiment, the rack unit 12 includes four poles extendingbetween the top 20 and bottom 18. However, in another embodiment, therack unit 12 can include six poles extending between the top 20 andbottom 18, thereby making the greenhouse 10 twice as wide. Those skilledin the art will understand that there are numerous ways to construct therack unit 12.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the outer layer 14 is preferably comprised ofa flexible material, such as canvas or the like that overlays the rackunit 12. In a preferred embodiment, the outer layer 14 includes canvason outside with a thick layer of plastic thermally adhered on theinside. The outer layer 14 preferably includes bottom 40, a top 42 andan intermediate portion 44 extending therebetween that correspond to thesimilarly named portions of the rack unit 12. The outer layer 14 can bea single piece or a plurality of pieces that are sewn, stitched orotherwise held together.

As shown in FIG. 1, the bottom 40 preferably includes a front lip 40 afor preventing water or other things from spilling out from the floor ofthe greenhouse 10. In a preferred embodiment, the greenhouse 10 includesa separate waterproof floor 45 (see FIG. 7) that is placed on the bottom40 of the outer layer 14. The waterproof floor can be secured in placeusing plastic tie wraps or the like that are wrapped around the poles 24and through grommeted openings in the waterproof floor.

The outer layer 14 also preferably includes a plurality of openings 46therein. The openings 46 can be used for ventilation, ducting and forthe ingress and egress of electrical cords and the like. In a preferredembodiment, the greenhouse includes two vent openings for venting freshair into and out of the greenhouse 10. These are labeled as intake ventopening 46 a and exhaust vent opening 46 b. In a preferred embodiment,the greenhouse also includes two light cooling openings for moving airinto and out of the lighting system to cool the lights. These arelabeled as intake light cooling opening 46 c and exhaust light coolingopening 46 d. However, the greenhouse may have more than two of each ofthe openings 46.

As shown in FIGS. 1-2, the openings 46 can include duct connectionmembers 48 for connecting ducts thereto. The duct connection members 48include a main body portion 49 and a connecting ring 54. The main bodyportion 49 comprises an integral tube portion 49 a and connecting ring49 b. In a preferred embodiment, the tube portion 49 a is insertedthrough one of the openings 46 until the connecting ring 49 b isadjacent the outer layer 14. Then the other connecting ring 54 is placedover the tube portion 49 a until it is adjacent the outer layer 14 onthe opposite side as connecting ring 54. The two connecting rings 49 band 54 are then secured together through the outer layer, for example bynuts and bolts, rivets, adhesive or the like. Ducting 60 can then besecured to the tube using a hose clamp 51 or the like (see FIG. 5). Inanother embodiment, a double duct connection member can be created byusing two main body portions 49 that are placed back to back on oppositesides of the outer layer 14 (and the connecting rings 49 b beingconnected to each other). This will allow ducting to be connected onboth sides of the outer layer 14.

These openings 46 can be used as desired (or interchangeably) to moveair into and out of the greenhouse both for cooling a lighting systemand/or to ventilate the inside of the greenhouse separately orindependently to help grow any plants therein, while maintaining aproper ambient temperature and humidity.

The outer layer 14 also preferably includes at least one opening 47 forelectrical cords (see FIG. 5). In a preferred embodiment, opening 47includes a flap 50 with Velcro 50 a on both the flap and outer layer 14for keeping moisture, light or other matter from getting into thegreenhouse 10. The flaps 50 are preferably light tight.

The front part of the intermediate portion 44 of the outer layer 14preferably includes doors 52 for allowing entry to the greenhouse 10.The doors 52 can include a zipper, Velcro, snaps, hooks, a combinationof these or other means for closing the greenhouse 10 when desired.

As shown in FIG. 5, the greenhouse 10 preferably includes a ventilationsystem 16 for helping move air through the interior of the greenhouse 10and out exhaust vent opening 46 b. In an exemplary embodiment, theventilation system 16 includes a filter 56, such as a charcoal carbonfilter, a centrifugal fan 58 or the like, as well as ducting 60 fordirecting the air as desired. The filter 56 and fan 58 can be held inplace by straps (as shown in FIG. 5), hooks, clamps or the like. The fan58 causes air to be sucked through the filter 56, into the ducting andthrough the fan 58 and out exhaust vent opening 46 b.

The action of fan 58 also causes air to be sucked in through intake ventopening 46 a and then causes the air to rise through the greenhouse andover any plants therein (the heat from the light 100 also causes the airto rise). Arrow A1 in FIG. 1 shows the general path of the air as itenters and exits the greenhouse. In another embodiment, the greenhousecan include ducting on the outside of intake vent opening 46 a thatpumps air into the greenhouse. The advantageous placement of intake ventopening 46 a toward the bottom of the greenhouse 10 and the placement ofexhaust vent opening 46 b near the top of the greenhouse 10 provides foroptimum movement of air (see arrow A1) over the plants in thegreenhouse.

As shown in FIG. 6, the greenhouse also preferably includes a light orlights 100 and a cooling system 102. The type of light used is not alimitation on the present invention. However, high pressure sodium,metal halide or fluorescent or examples of types of lights that can beused. The cooling system 102 includes ducting 60 that extends betweenthe light 100 (or lights) and the light cooling openings 46 b and anexhaust fan 104 for helping move the air into and out of the openings 46b and the ducting 60. In a preferred embodiment, the lights 100 arecontained in an enclosure 100 a that is part of the path for moving theair from the intake opening 46 b, through one duct 60, through or overthe lights (through the enclosure 100 a), through the other duct 60 andout through exhaust fan 104 and opening 46 b. The inclusion of fourdifferent ductable openings (two for moving fresh air through thegreenhouse and two for cooling the lighting system) is advantageous.

As shown in FIG. 1, the outer layer 14 preferably includes a passive airvent 62 that includes a cover 62 a and a plastic mesh grill 63. Thisvent 62 helps regulate the pressure inside the greenhouse 10, by openingor closing when the pressure is too great or too little. This preventsthe outer layer 14 from sucking in or bulging out.

Referring to FIGS. 7-9A, generally, a second preferred embodiment of anindoor greenhouse 70 includes a rack unit 72, an outer layer 14 and aventilation system 16. The rack unit 72 differs from the rack unit 12described above with the first preferred embodiment greenhouse 10.However, the outer layer 14, ventilation system 16 and other componentsare similar to those of the greenhouse 10.

The rack unit 72 includes shelves 74 and a plurality of poles 76extending therebetween. As shown in FIG. 8, in a preferred embodiment,the rack unit 72 includes top 74 a, middle 74 b and bottom 74 c shelves.All of the shelves 74 include receptacles 78 for receiving the poles 76.As is best shown in FIG. 9A, the rack unit 72 includes a plurality ofclamps 80 that cooperate with grooves 76 a in each of the poles 76. Theclamps 80 include a fin 80 a on the inside diameter thereof that fitsinto the grooves 76 a. The clamps 80 are not completely circular, whichdefines a longitudinally oriented space 80 b that allows the clamps 80to be stretched such that the pole 76 fits through the space 80 b. Theclamp 80 then snaps back into place such that the fin 80 a is receivedin a groove 76 a. The clamps 80 are made of a metal or plastic, but mustbe elastic enough to separate at space 80 b, but snap back into shapeafter the pole 76 has been received therein.

When a desired shelf height is chosen, the user places a clamp 80 oneach pole 76 at the desired height, and a shelf 74 is slid onto the fourpoles 76 (by placing the poles 76 into the four corner receptacles 78)and over the clamps 80. The clamps 80 are tapered. In other words, theclamps 80 are configured such that they have a larger outer diameter atthe bottom than at the top. This allows the receptacle 78 to fit overthe clamp 80. However, friction then causes the clamp 80 to tighten onthe pole 76 and causes the clamp 80 to lock within the receptacle 78.The outer diameter of the bottom of the clamp 80 is larger than theinner diameter of the receptacle 78, thereby creating a friction fit. Inanother embodiment, the clamps 80 can be comprised of two halves thatare held in place by the user as the receptacle 78 is slid over it.

In the embodiment shown in the pictures, a user would first place theclamps 80 at the bottom of the poles 76 and then slide the bottom shelf74 c on. They then would place the clamps 80 at a point in near themiddle of the poles 76 and slide the middle shelf 76 b on and then wouldplace the clamps 80 at the top of the poles 76 and then slide the topshelf 74 a on. It will be understood that any number and anyconfiguration of shelves 74 is within the scope of the presentinvention.

The foregoing embodiments are merely examples of the present invention.Those skilled in the art may make numerous uses of, and departures from,such embodiments without departing from the spirit and the scope of thepresent invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention isnot to be limited to or defined by such embodiments in any way, butrather, is defined solely by the following claims.

1. An indoor greenhouse comprising: a) a rack unit that includes a top,a bottom, and an intermediate portion extending therebetween, b) anouter layer that at least partially surrounds the rack unit and definesa greenhouse interior, wherein the outer layer includes a top, a bottom,and an intermediate portion extending therebetween that correspond tothe top, bottom, and intermediate portion of the rack unit, and whereinthe outer layer has intake and exhaust vent openings and intake andexhaust light cooling openings defined therein, c) at least one light atleast partially surrounded by a light enclosure disposed in thegreenhouse interior, d) a cooling system, wherein the cooling systemincludes at least one duct that cooperates with the light enclosure todefine an air path between the intake and exhaust light coolingopenings, and e) a ventilation system, wherein the ventilation systemincludes a fan, a filter and at least one duct that cooperate to exhaustair out of the exhaust vent opening.
 2. The indoor greenhouse of claim 1wherein the rack unit comprises a plurality of poles that cooperate toform the top, bottom and intermediate portions, wherein the plurality ofpoles comprise at least one pole that has two male ends, at least onepole that has a male end and a double female end, and at least one polethat has a double female end and a single female end.
 3. The indoorgreenhouse of claim 2 wherein the double female ends comprise a pair ofreceivers that extend from the pole at about a right angle.
 4. Theindoor greenhouse of claim 3 wherein the receivers extend at about aright angle from each other in the X plane and from the pole at about aright angle in the Y and Z planes
 5. The indoor greenhouse of claim 1wherein the rack unit comprises at least four poles and at least twoshelves, wherein the shelves are adapted to be disposed at differentpositions along the length of the poles.
 6. The indoor greenhouse ofclaim 5 wherein the at least two shelves include a top shelf and abottom shelf that correspond to the top and bottom of the rack unit. 7.The indoor greenhouse of claim 6 wherein the rack unit includes at leastone middle shelf disposed between the top and bottom shelves, andwherein the middle shelf is adapted to be disposed at differentpositions along the length of the poles.
 8. The indoor greenhouse ofclaim 7 wherein the poles each have a plurality of circumferentiallyextending grooves defined therein, wherein the bottom and middle shelvesare rectangular and each include receptacles at their four corners,wherein the poles include a plurality of generally cylindrical clampsthereon, wherein the clamps have a fin extending around an innerdiameter thereof, wherein the fins of each of the clamps are received ina groove, wherein a clamp is associated with each of the receptaclessuch that a clamp and a portion of one of the poles are received in areceptacle, and wherein the clamp provides a friction fit between theexterior of the clamp and the interior of the receptacle, whereby theshelves are held in place at the desired position on the poles.
 9. Theindoor greenhouse of claim 8, wherein the clamps have a taperedexterior.
 10. The indoor greenhouse of claim 1 wherein at least one ofthe intake and exhaust vent openings and intake and exhaust lightcooling openings has a duct connection member disposed therein.
 11. Theindoor greenhouse of claim 10 wherein the duct connection membercomprises a main body portion that includes a tube that has a connectionring extending outwardly therefrom, and a separate connection member.12. The indoor greenhouse of claim 1 wherein the cooling system includesa fan.
 13. The indoor greenhouse of claim 2 wherein the poles and thedouble female ends are formed as a unit.
 14. The indoor greenhouse ofclaim 13 wherein the double female ends include two tubular receiversand the single female ends include one tubular receiver, and wherein atleast one of the receivers includes an opening therein that cooperateswith an outwardly biased knob on the male ends of the poles.
 15. Theindoor greenhouse of claim 14 wherein the poles and the receivers aremade of metal.
 16. The indoor greenhouse of claim 15 wherein thereceivers of the double female ends are welded to the poles.